Are coolants really necessary for ideal cooling or are they just a luxury? is it possible to run on water alone without overheating? Do coolants have any long term effects on the performance or efficiency of car engines? Pls lets discuss and share ideas.i need to know. Advice from all our auto specialists here will be appreciated.

Your engine will not overheat by using water alone.However, the coolant has qualities that ensures your engine reaches optimal operating temperature quickly while maintaining a safe cooling temperature all round.The most beneficial to your car is a 50/50 water/coolant mix. Because it is difficult to actually determine the accurate mix, it is advisable to purchase premixed coolant which will not require the driver to measure water and coolant before pouring in.

"if there's too little water, the coolant won't cool the engine as easily because it's too thick as a solution. the water dilutes it so it flows freely thru the radiator. if there's too much water the heat from the engine will cause the water to evaporate causing your coolant level to go down. This may result in engine over heating."

I believe water causes metal to rust. Even if its an aluminium block your radiator is made from iron some times and some others copper.

The boiling point of Clean water(H20) is 100 degrees Celsius or 212f, With all the salts like Magnesium, calcium and chlorine(in tap water) you can have it boil at less than 85 celcius. These salts deposit after after long use of water( same whitish stuff you seee at the bottom of kettles)and the deposits clog your cooling lines and stresses the water pump.As water boils it expands and also releases gases dissolved in it.Gas expansion due to heat is way more than liquid expansion. Your car cooling system is a close system and this expansion causes pressure build up. At some point some thing has to give way, either the water pump, hose, or radiator.

Coolant is made up of mainly TEG ( Tri ethylene glycol) and silicates. TEG has a boiling point above 320f and low expansion due to heat. New cars have a shuf off system that would tun off the engine when temp rises above a certain point.

icemann: I believe water causes metal to rust. Even if its an aluminium block your radiator is made from iron some times and some others copper.

The boiling point of Clean water(H20) is 100 degrees Celsius or 212f, With all the salts like Magnesium, calcium and chlorine(in tap water) you can have it boil at less than 85 celcius. These salts deposit after after long use of water( same whitish stuff you seee at the bottom of kettles)and the deposits clog your cooling lines and stresses the water pump.As water boils it expands and also releases gases dissolved in it.Gas expansion due to heat is way more than liquid expansion. Your car cooling system is a close system and this expansion causes pressure build up. At some point some thing has to give way, either the water pump, hose, or radiator.

Coolant is made up of mainly TEG ( Tri ethylene glycol) and silicates. TEG has a boiling point above 320f and low expansion due to heat. New cars have a shuf off system that would tun off the engine when temp rises above a certain point.

Pls do not use water if you want your engine to last long

Amongst other functions coolant prevents rust. If you keep using water very soon your radiator may start leaking

Thanks guys for this tread... some time ago my mechanic wanted to remove my single-cell radiator and put a double-cell one, and I refused because I did not see any reason why I should change something that is not faulty. Can someone please throw some light on single versus double cell radiators?

icemann: I believe water causes metal to rust. Even if its an aluminium block your radiator is made from iron some times and some others copper.

The boiling point of Clean water(H20) is 100 degrees Celsius or 212f, With all the salts like Magnesium, calcium and chlorine(in tap water) you can have it boil at less than 85 celcius. These salts deposit after after long use of water( same whitish stuff you seee at the bottom of kettles)and the deposits clog your cooling lines and stresses the water pump.As water boils it expands and also releases gases dissolved in it.Gas expansion due to heat is way more than liquid expansion. Your car cooling system is a close system and this expansion causes pressure build up. At some point some thing has to give way, either the water pump, hose, or radiator.

Coolant is made up of mainly TEG ( Tri ethylene glycol) and silicates. TEG has a boiling point above 320f and low expansion due to heat. New cars have a shuf off system that would tun off the engine when temp rises above a certain point.

icemann: I believe water causes metal to rust. Even if its an aluminium block your radiator is made from iron some times and some others copper.

The boiling point of Clean water(H20) is 100 degrees Celsius or 212f, With all the salts like Magnesium, calcium and chlorine(in tap water) you can have it boil at less than 85 celcius. These salts deposit after after long use of water( same whitish stuff you seee at the bottom of kettles)and the deposits clog your cooling lines and stresses the water pump.As water boils it expands and also releases gases dissolved in it.Gas expansion due to heat is way more than liquid expansion. Your car cooling system is a close system and this expansion causes pressure build up. At some point some thing has to give way, either the water pump, hose, or radiator.

Coolant is made up of mainly TEG ( Tri ethylene glycol) and silicates. TEG has a boiling point above 320f and low expansion due to heat. New cars have a shuf off system that would tun off the engine when temp rises above a certain point.

stynoski: Thanks guys for this tread... some time ago my mechanic wanted to remove my single-cell radiator and put a double-cell one, and I refused because I did not see any reason why I should change something that is not faulty. Can someone please throw some light on single versus double cell radiators?

No mind our mechanics that claim to know more than the manufacturers of the car. If a car has overheating problems it simply has a fault and having 2 radiators won't solve it. fixing the over heating prob will

No mind our mechanics that claim to know more than the manufacturers of the car. If a car has overheating problems it simply has a fault and having 2 radiators won't solve it. fixing the over heating prob will

Unfortunately, his mechanic could be right. When cars r designed for Temperate regions like Nigeria, certain things r taken into consideration. So a car wit a single cell radiator will do well in a place like russia or uk, however would experience difficulties in Nigeria. I've had a radiator change and it totally solved my overheating problem.Note: like someone said above a 50/50 mixture would do just fine. (a can of coolant to a full radiator).

Not sure what the correct answer is though. My owners manual clearly states: "do NOT use water in the cooling system". I'll go with what the manual says.

I've read online(and my mechanic also claims) that the instructions about not using water (above a predetermined ratio) apply ONLY to temperate regions (water freezes in sub-zero winter conditions and doesn't flow through the circuit which leads to overheating). I am in Lagos where the temperature is 35 degrees , so the winter arguement doesn't hold water here. However, as some posters have already pointed out, coolant has a higher boiling point than water and thus it provides more protection.

Radiator coolant help to reduce the boiling point in the radiator, thereby increase the life span of the radiator cell and it detoxify the salt base of the water. I advise you should always and always use radiator coolant if you want you car to be in good shape, thanks.

my-friend:Radiator coolant help to reduce the boiling point in the radiator,

You've got it the wrong way round, bruh. Coolant increases the boiling point, i.e raises the point at which the cooling system boils. If you reduce it, i.e use plain water, you'll decrease the boiling point, i.e lower the point at which the cooling system boils, which you certainly don't want.

Kitomania: Hey pls I need an advise my mechanic want to remove termostart for Mazda I wana know if there problem to remove it...

Dont allow him. Your problem with the car will start the day he removes it. Mind you, engine are not meant to be too cold for optimal efficiency. The thermostat (a thermal controlled "barrier&quot ensures that coolant do not circulate when the engine need to warm up and only opens up for the coolant to start flowing when the engine has warmed-up. If by any chance your car is over heating, check for the cause and fix it.

Unfortunately, his mechanic could be right. When cars r designed for Temperate regions like Nigeria, certain things r taken into consideration. So a car wit a single cell radiator will do well in a place like russia or uk, however would experience difficulties in Nigeria. I've had a radiator change and it totally solved my overheating problem.Note: like someone said above a 50/50 mixture would do just fine. (a can of coolant to a full radiator).

Somebody should please tell somebody that coolant do not solve overheating problem. Coolant (the antifreeze - the pink colored one) used in temperate region where temperature goes below 0 degree Celsius ensures that the coolant do not turn to ice block inside the radiator and engine as the case with ordinary water which freezes at zero degree Celsius. The other coolant - Anti-rust (the green one) ensures that the metal parts of your engine and the radiator are not corroded by inhibiting the metals from rusting. It also serves to lubricate the water pump and free it from seizing, that may arise from corrosion.If the engine is over heating, look for the cause. It might be blown head gasket, corroded radiator due to rust, stuck closed thermostat, leaking radiator, leaking cooling system hose and bad radiator cap. Kindly follow and like: www.facebook.com/autofixitplus for more tips and car issues

I want to start using coolant ib my radiator.its been filled with watter all this while. Is there any special procedure to observe while changing? Cos I heard it could cause overheating if not done properly.

2.Please which coolant can I use for. 2007 honda accord? Are d common ones that come in blue long containers ok?

dan_dollar: I want to start using coolant ib my radiator.its been filled with watter all this while. Is there any special procedure to observe while changing? Cos I heard it could cause overheating if not done properly.

2.Please which coolant can I use for. 2007 honda accord? Are d common ones that come in blue long containers ok?

Unfortunately, his mechanic could be right. When cars r designed for Temperate regions like Nigeria, certain things r taken into consideration. So a car wit a single cell radiator will do well in a place like russia or uk, however would experience difficulties in Nigeria. I've had a radiator change and it totally solved my overheating problem.Note: like someone said above a 50/50 mixture would do just fine. (a can of coolant to a full radiator).

the only thing you change to suit your region climate is engine oil, ratio of cooliant is the same everywhere in the world (why becoz it is all about the engine temperature inside the engine not the region climate also remember that whether in an alaskian winter the engine will still reach the operating temperature 80 -85 even when outside is -20 )

unfortunately most people in africa think the cooliant is not really important